Firefighters with Ladder 11 battle a fire at the former Remington Arms plant, in Bridgeport, Conn. Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2010. The empty factory complex has been the site of numerous fires over the past several years. less

Firefighters with Ladder 11 battle a fire at the former Remington Arms plant, in Bridgeport, Conn. Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2010. The empty factory complex has been the site of numerous fires over the past several ... more

Firefighters with Ladder 11 battle a fire at the former Remington Arms plant, in Bridgeport, Conn. Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2010. The empty factory complex has been the site of numerous fires over the past several years. less

Firefighters with Ladder 11 battle a fire at the former Remington Arms plant, in Bridgeport, Conn. Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2010. The empty factory complex has been the site of numerous fires over the past several ... more

The scene of a fire at the former Remmington Arms plant, in Bridgeport, Conn. Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2010. (contributed photo/Lou Tibor)

The scene of a fire at the former Remmington Arms plant, in Bridgeport, Conn. Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2010. (contributed photo/Lou Tibor)

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 16 of 19

The scene of a fire at the former Remmington Arms plant, in Bridgeport, Conn. Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2010. (contributed photo/Lou Tibor)

The scene of a fire at the former Remmington Arms plant, in Bridgeport, Conn. Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2010. (contributed photo/Lou Tibor)

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 17 of 19

The scene of a fire at the former Remmington Arms plant, in Bridgeport, Conn. Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2010. (contributed photo/Lou Tibor)

The scene of a fire at the former Remmington Arms plant, in Bridgeport, Conn. Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2010. (contributed photo/Lou Tibor)

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 18 of 19

The scene of a fire at the former Remington Arms plant, in Bridgeport, Conn. Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2010. (contributed photo/Lou Tibor)

The scene of a fire at the former Remington Arms plant, in Bridgeport, Conn. Saturday, Aug. 28th, 2010. (contributed photo/Lou Tibor)

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 19 of 19

After another Remington fire, what's next?

1 / 19

Back to Gallery

BRIDGEPORT -- Fire roared through four floors of two vacant buildings at the former Remington Arms plant Saturday morning, creating fear that sections of the damaged structure could collapse endangering firefighters battling the stubborn blaze and spectators creeping closer to watch.

At one point, police pushed back nearly three dozen spectators stationed at the intersection of Maple and Helen streets.

Wooden horses blocked off several streets surrounding what is now known as the RemGrit plant as firefighters from every city department battled the blaze for nearly two hours before bringing in under control.

But first police canvassed the area giving nearby residents three options: remain inside with windows and doors closed and any outside ventilation systems turned off, seek shelter elsewhere or move to an emergency shelter set up at Waltersville/Barnum school.

"The concern was contaminants like asbestos might be released into the air," said Scott Appleby, the city's director of emergency management and homeland security.

He said residents cooperated, no one sought shelter in the school and the fire department sprayed a continual stream of water on the emerging dustball.

Still, the intensity of this latest fire, combined with the weakened structure of previous fires throughout the complex, brought calls from city and community leaders for demolition before someone is seriously hurt.

Lingering fresh in everyone's minds are last month's deaths of Lt. Steven Velasquez and Firefighter Michel Baik while battling a house fire on Elmwood Avenue.

"That complex needs to come down," said Ted Meekins, a retired Bridgeport police sergeant and chairman of the East End Community Council. "The city is putting its firefighters at risk every time they are called there. What are we waiting for?"

Councilman Robert P. Curwen Sr. who followed the smoke to Saturday's blaze, said he approached a battalion chief and told him "whatever you do, do not take any chances."

While the cause of the blaze is still under investigation, Curwen suspects it was caused by vandals using an acetylene torch to rip off copper flashing on the roof.

Curwen said the two buildings which burned Saturday housed manufacturing companies until about eight years ago. He said one of the buildings still had machinery with oil pans underneath while the second was full of sawdust and chips from a woodworking business.

"It created the perfect environment," he said.

Responding to the calls Saturday afternoon, Mayor Bill Finch vowed his administration "will employ all legal means to seize immediate control of this site to eliminate all avoidable health and safety risks."

"Since I took office in 2007, we have been aggressively pursing the owner of this building to pay his back taxes and to get the building torn down," Finch said. "The building is a public hazard in its current condition. Vandals are setting fires, endangering public safety, nearby homes and businesses and most importantly, the lives of our firefighters."

The site is owned by RemGrit, who, in turn owes the city at least $8.6 million in taxes. Sal DiNardo is the majority shareholder of that corporation.

"A lot of the debt was incurred before DiNardo became majority shareholder," Curwen said.

Curwen, who co-chairs the council's Economic and Development committee and is experienced in demolition contracts, believes it will cost at least $11 million to tear down the complex and remove the debris. Then comes the cost of studying and removing the contamination in the ground underneath.

"The city does not have that kind of money to pay for this," said Curwen. "We can't expect to put any more burden on our taxpayers."

Nor does Curwen believe there are any state or federal funds available in that amount.

"From what I understand it is extremely dangerous now," she said. "I'm concerned not only for the firefighters, but the people who live in that area."

The oily black smoke filled the sky above western wing of the plant, south of the complex's historic shot tower.

Spectators said they saw the smoke as far north as Milford and as far south as the Saugatuck bridge in Westport.

Edwin Diaz was one of those. He saw the smoke while driving over the Saugatuck River bridge in Westport. Diaz, who lives on Goodard Avenue, was returning home from his job at City Carting in Stamford. He and Matthew Cuccaro, who biked from Black Rock, watched firefighters atop ladders four stories high pour thousands of gallons of water onto the blaze.

"This building is fully involved," said Diaz watching hot, orange flames spewing from broken windows and licking the exterior brickwork.

Fairfield, Milford and Stratford firefighters covered the city's calls as its firefighters battled the stubborn blaze.

"It's a damn shame," voiced John Soltis, of Ellsworth Avenue, whose first job was out of high school was working on ammunition shells at Remington. "The city has to decide whether they are going to do something with this or knock it down."

As of late Saturday there were no reports of injuries, but Fire Chief Brian Rooney could not be reached for comment. EMS and the Red Cross were on the scene.

The factory, a series of 13 interconnected brick buildings on 76 acres with old style timber construction, has been closed for decades. The plant has no electric or gas supply.